National Homebrew Day: How to celebrate (and learn) in Upstate New York

Once upon a time -- say 25 years ago -- if you wanted a double-hopped India Pale Ale, a Belgian-style saison flavored with lavender or an authentic pre-Prohibition-style pilsner, you probably had to make your own.

Times have changed -- today almost every style of beer is available at your supermarket, multi-tap beer bar or local brewery tasting room.

But homebrewing continues. And it's still popular.

"I think the fact that people have been exposed to so many styles helps," said Sarah Townsend, president of the Salt City Brew Club, the homebrew club in the Syracuse area. "People have a beer and they say, 'Wow, this is amazing, I'll have to make this myself!' "

Homebrew clubs across Upstate New York will be celebrating National Homebrew Day on Saturday, May 6, and many will do so by hosting events that have come to be known as "Big Brew Day."

The idea is to give new or still-learning homebrewers a chance to see some veteran beer-makers in action. Members of the sponsoring clubs set up their equipment, show off their ingredients and get brewing.

By the end of the day, big batches of beer are bubbling along in the stage known as fermentation.

"It takes some of the fear and anxiety out of it for people who haven't done it before," Townsend said. "And hopefully we show that it's fun."

This year, the Salt City Brew Club Big Brew Day will be hosted at Local 315 Brewing Co., a craft brewery at 3202 Warners Road in Camillus. Brewing takes place from around 10 am. to 3 p.m., and those who want to brew are asked to start setting up at 9 a.m. For more information or to RSVP, send email to competition@saltcitybrew.org.

Salt City Brew Club currently has about 60 active members. Its regular meetings are 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at IBU Brewing, 3703 Brewerton Road, North Syracuse.